Predictors of Long-Term Psychosocial Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Prior Concussions

• Published in: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 2018-07, Vol.24 (6), p.540-548
• Main Authors: Plourde, Vickie, Yeates, Keith Owen, Brooks, Brian L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Age; Anxiety; Awards & honors; Behavioral Symptoms - epidemiology; Brain Concussion - diagnosis; Brain Concussion - epidemiology; Child; Children; Children & youth; Comorbidity; Concussion; Disease Progression; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fractures, Bone - epidemiology; Funding; Humans; Learning disabilities; Learning Disabilities - epidemiology; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Memory; Mental depression; Migraine Disorders - epidemiology; Mood; Pediatrics; Post-Concussion Syndrome - diagnosis; Post-Concussion Syndrome - epidemiology; Prognosis; Quality of life; Regular Research; Royalties; Social interactions; Sports injuries; Teenagers
• ISSN: 1355-6177; 1469-7661
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355617718000061

Objectives: Individual differences in long-term psychosocial functioning after concussions in children and adolescents are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to investigate potential predictors of long-term psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in youth after prior concussion. Methods: Participants (N=75; mean age=14.3 years old; 52% girls) with one prior concussion (n=24), multiple prior concussions (n=24), or a prior orthopedic injury and no concussion (n=27) were seen on average 2.7 years after their most recent injury. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the self-report versions of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2; Anxiety and Depression scales only), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0. Pre-existing conditions (attention problems, learning difficulties, mood concerns, anxiety concerns, and migraines) were reported by parents using a checklist and examined as predictors of long-term functioning. Other potential predictors included age at testing, sex, time between most recent injury and testing, and number of prior concussions. Results: The groups did not differ significantly on long-term psychosocial functioning. Moreover, only pre-existing mood concerns or attention problems significantly predicted psychosocial adjustment. Conclusions: Children’s functioning before a concussion is critical to understanding outcome. Pre-injury attention and mood concerns should be assessed in clinical settings to prevent and treat long-term psychosocial problems after concussion. (JINS, 2018, 24, 540–548)